Reflecting on My Capstone Experience

Now that I have completed this class in its entirety, I can honestly say it has taught me a lot about myself, my skills, strengths, weaknesses, and more. One of the biggest personal developments I experienced was improving my communication skills. I learned how to reach out and engage with people in my community, which was something I had never done on this scale before. I also became much more confident in my research abilities and discovered the value of persistence and adaptability.

At the start of the year, I had a very different vision for my project. Initially, I planned to center my work around basketball. However, due to scheduling issues and limited connections, I had to pivot. Thankfully, new opportunities opened up, and I was able to shift my focus to soccer. Looking back, I’m glad things worked out this way. The change allowed me to make meaningful connections and create a project that I am truly proud of.

Throughout the year, there were definitely some challenges. One of the biggest was dealing with a lack of motivation. I assumed I would always feel excited to work on my project, but that wasn’t always the case. Some days, I found myself procrastinating or lacking the energy to make progress. This caught up with me toward the end, when I was racing against the clock to meet deadlines. Another major obstacle was the lack of responses from people in my community early on. I sent out numerous emails and made several phone calls, only to be met with silence. It was frustrating and discouraging at times. However, as the year went on, I began hearing back from people, and everything slowly started falling into place.

The most rewarding moment of the entire project came at the end, when I hosted a sports equipment fundraiser. Being able to collect and donate gear to kids in need was incredibly fulfilling. Seeing the smiles on their faces when they received brand-new equipment completely free of charge was something I’ll never forget. That moment made all the stress and hard work worth it. It felt like everything I had done had finally paid off.

What meant the most to me throughout this journey wasn’t just whether my original idea worked out, it was about making a lasting impact. My goal was to make a difference in the lives of youth through sports in my community, and I truly believe I accomplished that. Even though the path wasn’t what I expected, the outcome was just as powerful, if not more so.

This experience taught me important life lessons that I’ll carry with me into the future. One of the biggest takeaways was how to approach large tasks and projects. I now understand the importance of managing my time, staying organized, and not letting procrastination take over. These are skills I know I’ll need throughout my life, in both academic and professional settings.

Another major area of personal growth was learning to step out of my comfort zone. In the beginning, I stuck to what I knew familiar people, topics, and research methods. But I quickly realized that to succeed, I needed to branch out. Talking to strangers, asking questions, and putting myself in unfamiliar situations was difficult at first, but it ended up being incredibly valuable. I saw firsthand how pushing past my discomfort led to better outcomes and a stronger project.

Another major area of personal growth was learning to step out of my comfort zone. In the beginning, I stuck to what I knew familiar people, topics, and research methods. But I quickly realized that to succeed, I needed to branch out. Talking to strangers, asking questions, and putting myself in unfamiliar situations was difficult at first, but it ended up being incredibly valuable. I saw firsthand how pushing past my discomfort led to better outcomes and a stronger project.

What made my project unique was that I got to physically do something and create real change. While some students made websites or presentations, I had the opportunity to work directly with my community and make a hands-on impact. That was an experience I’ll always treasure.

In the end, this capstone project was a huge success. There were ups and downs, but overall, I learned and grew more than I ever expected. I’m so glad I took this class it has changed me for the better in many ways and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has the chance to take it. It's truly a one of a kind experience.